Local public elementary school teachers are joining their counterparts across the province in saying they will give parents 72 hours’ notice before striking.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents 76,000 teachers and educational professionals across the province, made its announcement Wednesday.

ETFO Halton president Marg Macfarlane confirmed today the scenario would be the same in Halton where the unit represents 2,600 teachers and educational professionals— who earlier voted 95 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.

Four ETFO units across are proceeding with work-to-rule action. In December, all ETFO units, including Halton, will be in a legal strike position.

The announcement said strikes by local ETFO units will affect operations in each Ontario public elementary school.

“It is unfortunate we have been placed in the position of having to strike by Education Minister Laurel Broten, but we will provide parents with ample notice to ensure the safety of students,” said ETFO president Sam Hammond in the release.

Educators are protesting the Province’s Bill-115 (Putting Students First Act), which strips them of their bargaining rights, freezes wages and cuts into benefits. It also allows for removal of sections from locally bargained agreements.

The ETFO would not say which school boards will be affected or when. Halton public elementary school teachers will be in a legal strike position sometime in the second full week of December.